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Kathryn Selby is joined by German-based Australian violinist Natalie Chee, Goldner Quartet cellist Julian Smiles and up-and-comer Lloyd Van’t Hoff on clarinet in an exploration of works born of tormented circumstance.

The Quartet for the End of Time was famously written for the composer himself and some fellow detainees in a concentration camp during World War II. Despite having experienced some of humanity’s worst possible side, and in the face of illness and starvation, the four musicians brought their compatriots to tears with their depth of commitment to Messiaen’s incredibly moving dedication to his higher power.

The suffering of Beethoven and Schumann is also well-known; each struggled with his own emotional and physical burdens, and produced some of western history’s most abiding musical offerings nonetheless. The trio of Selby, Smiles and Chee present two of these with power, pathos, and their immensely beautiful combined sounds.

Recorded live in concert at the Tatoulis Auditorium, Melbourne on 22 August 2018 by ABC Classic FM. Producer Jennifer Mills. Engineer Nicholas Mierisch.

Program

Beethoven: Piano Trio in G major, Op 121a Kakadu VariationsSchumann: Piano Trio No 3 in G minor, Op 110Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time